Ready, Set, Go!The long wait is over, it’s opening weekend at the pool! I’m extremely pleased that things have come together with pre-season preparations, but as usual, we are still busily wrapping things up so that everything will be ready to roll starting at noon this Saturday.

Now getting the club ready for another summer involves many people, doing many different jobs, both big and small. I would like to say thank you to all that attended the work party on May 5th! Your efforts really helped make a big difference.

I would also like to give a big shout out to one individual in particular and that would be Jeff Haven, our board Maintenance Chair. Jeff is a get it done kind of guy, and that’s just what he’s been doing this off-season. He spearheaded the womens’ locker room re-do, as well as the more minor mens’ locker room tweaks. Additionally, he took on the task of seeing that the expansion joints surrounding around the pool deck were overhauled. To top it off, just yesterday he was busily sanding and staining. So if the place looks a little better than you remember, it’s in large part to Jeff’s seemingly endless amounts of energy.

We also undertook some work that while perhaps less noticeable was quite important. Now I know I will probably be jinxing things here, but I do believe we were able to finally get our leaky old pool sealed up, as after refilling it just a couple of weeks ago, and monitoring the water meter for 10 days, the meter had not changed!

It’s nice to start things with good news for sure!

As we get underway this season there are many things to remind everyone about, and I also have to remind myself that after doing this for so many years, that there are members just joining the pool this summer, and for them this may be the first bit of information they will be receiving. So while some of this may be a repeat, it’s information worth repeating for all of our members, both new and old, I really appreciate you familiarizing yourselves with the pool rules as well as the guest policy. While they haven’t changed, they are important for all to know and worth a revisit. These will also be posted at the club in the lobby.

Now many of you may also recall last season we implemented the very successful Double Down Diaper Policy. We will continue to double down this season and want to remind those whom this policy pertains to, to also become familiar with it as well.

With the bottom end of things covered, we want to also emphasize, especially with little ones, that sometimes things also come up, literally speaking. If you notice your child either swallowing or inhaling a good deal of water, often indicated by immediate and uncontrolled coughing, please get them out of the pool ASAP. Most of the time the coughing will pass and will go away as fast as it starts, but sometimes the coughing can be a little more severe and may lead to vomiting, which isn’t fun for anyone.

Thank you in advance for your help with reviewing our rules and policies!

When coming to the pool during general swim, or for lap swim, please remember to sign in on the computer. I’ve tried to get everyone’s information into and updated in the system. If there is a problem, and for a few of you there certainly will be, it can usually be remedied pretty quickly. There is a form at the front desk for that, and/or please leave me a message in the staff message book.

Remember to check all guests in upon your arrival. Please also remember that opening weekend is for members only and that we will not be scheduling parties to occur during the first week of operations.

I would also like to remind you that you are always welcome to check your wallets, purses, keys, phones, etc. in at the pool office. As far as swim bags and such, many people feel more comfortable taking them out on the deck instead of leaving them in the locker room. Really it’s about whatever works for you and your comfort level.

You may also choose to bring a lock with you for the lockers as well, but we ask that you take that lock home with you when you leave for the day. Now there are occasions when leaving a lock on a locker is permitted, but those instances should be cleared with the pool management in advance.

In case you hadn’t heard…

Wedgwood Swim Pool has always been a strong community. As managers, our job is to make decisions to best meet the needs of all those who enjoy Wedgwood pool. As the community changes, we must be prepared to adjust the operations of the pool. Over the past several years, we have identified new needs for lap swimmers, water aerobics participants, swim team members, and community members participating in the lesson program. While we have been able to make minor adjustments to better accommodate certain groups, we felt the time had come to make more significant changes to pool schedules to better meet the needs of the Wedgwood community.

After consulting with the swim coaches, lesson coordinator and the board we have developed a New Schedule for Swim Team Practice. The new schedule has taken into account feedback from families over the past few years, as well as addressing issues identified by the coaching staff. We believe the changes will better support the growth and development of the Wedgwood swimmers.Early Season Evening Practices:6-6:30PM = 8 years and under6:30-7:10PM = 9-10 year olds7:10-8:00PM = 11-12 year olds8:00-9:00PM = 13 years & Up

Summer Morning Practices:7:00-7:30AM = 15 & up (lanes 1 & 2 practice for swimmers who have jobs)7:30-9:00AM = 13 years & Up9:00-9:30AM = 8 years and under9:30-10:15AM = 9-10 year olds10:15-11:00AM = 11-12 year oldsIn addition to these changes in practice times there have also been changes to our general pool hours, early morning lap swim, and the lesson program. These adjustments reflect the changing needs of our community, as well as the availability of pool space.As many of you probably figured out with the Early Season Practice Schedule starting at 6pm, the pool will now be closing at 6pm, Monday – Thursdays until the switch to the full summer schedule.

The very popular 2:30-3:30pm Afternoon Adult Lap Swim returns, and will start on Monday, May 21st. This swim will run weekdays until June 22nd.

Early Morning Lap Swim will being on Monday, June 4th and run all season from 6am-7:30am Monday-Friday. Please note that once school is out for the summer, and the swim team moves to morning practices, two of the lanes will be designated for swim team practice for the last 30 minutes of this time.

Once school is out for the summer, swimming lessons will start a little earlier in the day, and then run a little longer. They will now run from 9:15am until 12:30pm. We’ve also created, combined, and retooled some our lesson groupings to help us better meet the needs of our swimmers varying skill levels. And heads up, member registration for Session 1 will be on Wednesday, May 30th 6-7pm.

Now the domino effect of these practice and lesson changes will push out the start time for Aerobics on Monday, Wednesdays and Friday to 12:30pm, Aerobics is scheduled to start on Monday, June 25th.

Finally, the pool will be opening on weekdays at 1:15pm once summer is in full swing, also the 25th of June.

Please keep in mind that as the season progresses we’ll be monitoring and making adjustments as warranted. For the most up to date details on any and all schedule information please check the club website/calendar.

I’m know that I’m really looking forward the upcoming season. The familiar sounds of the water running in the gutters and that faint scent of chlorine that I have known now for three decades have returned… it’s almost New Year’s Day in May!

See you at the pool!—Raab

Dates to Remember:

Member Lesson RegistrationSession 1 lesson registration will be on Wednesday, May 30th 6-7pm.

Early Morning Lap Swim Will start on Monday, June 4th and run weekdays 6-7:30am.

Water Aerobics Aerobics will be back on Monday, June 25th.Adult TeamAdult team will return to the water starting on Monday June 25th! Adult team practice will be on Monday and Wednesday nights from 8-9pm.Internship

We’ll be offering the internship again this year. The deadline for signing up is June15th. For more information and an application click here.

Directory Cover ContestMembers between the ages 5‐18 are encouraged to submit art to be used for the directory cover. Those artists selected will have their entries printed on either the front or back cover of the 2018 WW Pool Membership Directory.

Use an 8 1⁄2 x 11” white blank sheet of paper and fold it in half the hamburger way (landscape format folded in half) .

Draw on one side of the paper. (The entry will be 81/2 high x 5” wide) .

Use black ink and white paper.

Include the words: “Wedgwood Swim Pool Directory” and “2016” in your design.